Conor McCarthy: Advantage Kerry after predictable day

You learn nothing by talking. You learn through asking questions. This quote is attributed to Lou Holtz, the former college basketball analyst and coach.

On a predictable day in the Munster championship, both Cork and Kerry won in a manner each side was generally expected to. Let’s be honest, there were no retrospective talking points of note. We must therefore look to the questions each side was asked. Who was asked the searching questions — Cork or Kerry? Who learned more? Clearly the answer is Kerry.

A decent challenge from Tipp in an away game will have been of undeniable benefit to the All-Ireland champions. A comparably weaker effort from Clare in Páirc Uí Rinn will not have allowed Cork to discover anything significant over and above what they already know.